'Somdev's return is testament to his courage'

New Delhi: It was courageous of Somdev Devvarman to return to competitive tennis within six months of a shoulder surgery since not many athletes attempt that, says his coach Scott McCain, who also believes that the Indian will be back in top-100.

It took Somdev three months and seven tournaments to record his first win post the surgery and rehabilitation, which is still very much on. After enduring six first-round defeats since making comeback at London Olympics in July, Somdev won two matches at the Charlottesville Challenger tournament in the US last month.

Somdev's coach Scott McCain also believes that the Indian will be back in top-100.

"Somdev is way ahead of schedule in his comeback. It is a testament to his courage that he was/is willing to return to competition before he was anywhere close to 100 per cent," McCain told PTI from United States.

"According to research and the medical team, an athlete that undergoes this type of surgery may need more than one year for a full recovery. The medical team has stated that Somdev is a diligent rehab patient, hard worker and is very much ahead of schedule in his recovery," the American, who himself was a tennis player, said.

Asked about the prolonged struggle that Somdev endured after comeback, when he lost even to Tom Burn who was ranked as low as 812, the coach said it was due to a lot of factors.

"Poor results can be attributed to lack of tennis court time, lack of match practice, and restricted training on the tennis court to allow for complete healing.

"Somdev has had no restrictions in his training regimen the past few weeks and his performance against Gulbis in Vienna and Zverev in Charlottesville attest to this. If there is no pain, loss of range of motion or swelling and Somdev continues his current training regimen then I expect positive results," he said.